Gloomy birding weather
Despite the ongoing gloomy conditions I was determined to get out of foot and photograph a few of the commoner species here. Birds rarely come close except for the gulls and tame mallards at the bridge on Strode road but I gave it a try.
The tides are not esp high this week but still lead to a roosting flock of common, black-headed and herring gulls with a couple of lesser black-backed popping in.
This is a typically distant view but the black-headed at least will co-operate better
I am no expert on gulls but nothing seemed to resemble this weeks "gull du jour" which is black-tailed.... despite this being the severn estuary and therefore close to the sighting of two days ago.
Out of the flock of 50 plus shelduck these two were marginally closer than normal
We are at peak winter flooding at dowlais just now and this picture shows the extent it has reached. Unfortunately by the time lapwing start to nest its just the one pool left and unless we are lucky that can soon after completely disapear.
The usual winter starling flock had been joined today by at least 30 fieldfares but all were at the far side of the flood. Still I gave photographing them a try.
Cropping as much as possible nearly makes them identifiable
No apparent black-throated amongst them but its the hope that keeps many of us going I suspect.
Back at the bridge after walking the coastal loop a fisherman shouted from the bank to ask about a bird that had been fishing with him for an hour, it was this little grebe and he was clearly delighted to see it.
Finally there is starting to be some birdsong from blackbirds, robins, dunnocks and great tits so spring cannot be far away
The tides are not esp high this week but still lead to a roosting flock of common, black-headed and herring gulls with a couple of lesser black-backed popping in.
This is a typically distant view but the black-headed at least will co-operate better
I am no expert on gulls but nothing seemed to resemble this weeks "gull du jour" which is black-tailed.... despite this being the severn estuary and therefore close to the sighting of two days ago.
Out of the flock of 50 plus shelduck these two were marginally closer than normal
We are at peak winter flooding at dowlais just now and this picture shows the extent it has reached. Unfortunately by the time lapwing start to nest its just the one pool left and unless we are lucky that can soon after completely disapear.
The usual winter starling flock had been joined today by at least 30 fieldfares but all were at the far side of the flood. Still I gave photographing them a try.
Cropping as much as possible nearly makes them identifiable
No apparent black-throated amongst them but its the hope that keeps many of us going I suspect.
Back at the bridge after walking the coastal loop a fisherman shouted from the bank to ask about a bird that had been fishing with him for an hour, it was this little grebe and he was clearly delighted to see it.
Finally there is starting to be some birdsong from blackbirds, robins, dunnocks and great tits so spring cannot be far away
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